The Entrepreneurial Internship and Cooperative Education Program (EICP) at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is designed to encourage Missouri S&T students to explore and consider entrepreneurship as a career option and learn key entrepreneurship skills, particularly the process of searching for a scalable business model. Entrepreneurial internships or co-ops last approximately three (3) to four (4) months. Missouri S&T’s Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development (TTED) provides funding to students that is competitive with salaries that they could earn at internships and co-ops with traditional employers. This funding allows EICP participants to pursue an entrepreneurial endeavor on a full-time basis for up to four (4) months.

Eligibility

Only full-time Missouri S&T students in good standing that meet the eligibility requirements of the Missouri S&T Cooperative Education Program or who qualify for summer internships are eligible to receive funding (for additional information about co-op and internship eligibility, visit http://career.mst.edu/students/). Recipients must be registered to attend Missouri S&T in the semester immediately following the internship or co-op period. Applicants must provide all necessary documentation to demonstrate eligibility for funding under this program.

Eligibility to participate in the Missouri S&T EICP generally is as follows:

Undergraduate and graduate students in good standing and enrolled full-time at Missouri S&T during the Spring 2017 semester who are enrolled full-time at Missouri S&T for the Fall 2017 semester (or Spring 2018 semester if electing to participate as a co-op during the Fall 2017 semester).

International students that are eligible for curriculum practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT) are also eligible to participate, provided that there are no legal impediments to their participation.

Selected applicants must provide all necessary documentation to demonstrate their eligibility to participate in and receive funding under this program before their participation in the program begins. Participation in this program is at the sole and absolute discretion of Missouri S&T and TTED.

Funding Opportunity

Missouri S&T's Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development (TTED) will provide funding up to $10,000 per Missouri S&T student in the form of time-based and milestone-based award payments. Award recipients must use the funds in pursuit (on a full-time basis) of an entrepreneurial endeavor approved by TTED. Acceptable uses of funds include, but are not limited to, the following:

Participants must work on the entrepreneurial endeavor on a full-time basis (i.e., at least 40 hours per week). TTED plans will distribute award payments once a month. Internships for Summer 2017 must be completed by Friday, August 18, 2017. Co-ops for Fall 2017 must be completed by December 15, 2017.

Apply

TTED is accepting applications from students interested in participating in the Missouri S&T Entrepreneurial Internship and Cooperative Education Program. To apply, please complete and submit the online application. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm CT on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. All applicant interviews must be completed by 5:00 pm CT on Friday, March 17, 2017. TTED plans to announce awards by Monday, April 3, 2017.

Only applications submitted by Missouri S&T students will be considered. Only one application per student will be accepted. Students may only be considered for one of the participation options. For multi-person teams, each team member must submit their own application. Representatives from TTED will interview qualified applicants. Interviews will be held in Rolla, Missouri or via telephone or video conference. Applicants will be evaluated and ranked based on their application and interviews. Participation in this program is at the sole and absolute discretion of Missouri S&T and TTED.

NOTE: The EICP is cancelled for the 2017 cycle.

Additional Information

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Malcolm S. Townes via email at townesm@mst.edu.